Yale Bulletin and Calendar

April 7, 2000

Volume 28, Number 27

Thomas Dickinson (left) appears as Coriolanus and Maksim Ivanov as Tarquinius in the Yale Opera production of Benjamin Britten's "The Rape of Lucretia," directed by Colin Graham.

Yale Opera to present Britten's
'The Rape of Lucretia'

Yale Opera will present Benjamin Britten's retelling of a classic tale of honor and war, "The Rape of Lucretia," on Friday and Saturday evening, April 14 and 15, at 8 p.m. in Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall, 470 College St.

The story begins when a group of generals camped outside Rome discuss what happened when they made a surprise visit to their homes the night before to check on their wives. Only Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus, was not discovered in a compromising situation. Tarquinius, the ruler of Rome, is challenged by Junius, another general, that even he could not disprove Lucretia's chastity. Inflamed by jealousy, Tarquinius rides to Lucretia's home. When he cannot seduce her, he rapes her, an act that eventually leads her to commit suicide.

Yale's production of "The Rape of Lucretia" will feature School of Music students under the direction of Doris Yarick Cross, professor (adjunct) of voice at the School of Music.

The stage director for the production is Colin Graham, internationally known opera, theatre and television stage director who has directed more than 400 productions seen worldwide.

Early in his career, Graham began a long association with the composer Benjamin Britten, for whom he directed many world premieres. He became artistic director of Britten's English Opera group and its successor, the English Music Theatre. He also served as artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival for many years, as well as director of productions of Sadler's Wells Opera/English National Opera, for whom he staged numerous elaborate productions. Currently he is the artistic director for the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Graham has worked with opera companies throughout the United States.

His most recent world premieres include Corigliano's "The Ghosts of Versailles" for the Metropolitan Opera and Andre Previn's "A Streetcar Named Desire" for the San Francisco Opera. The latter was shown on PBS in December. He is now at work on the libretto for Previn's next opera. His new production of Britten's "A Death in Venice" for the Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera, Covent Garden, (for which he also designed settings) was chosen by the New York Times and New York Magazine as production of the year and was nominated for an Olivier Award in London.

Tickets for "The Rape of Lucretia" are $10; $5 for students. For tickets, contact (203) 432-4158.

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